Abstract
There is suggestive evidence that a low status of ascorbic acid in ruminants is related with decreased disease resistance. In a first attempt to identify conditions in camels that could affect their health, an inventory was made of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) concentrations in plasma and tissues as related to breed, gender, sexual activity and season. A total of 3429 camels were studied and sub-samples were used for selected comparisons. The highest concentrations of ascorbic acid were found in adrenals (152 mg/100 g wet tissue) and the lowest in heart (8 mg/100 g), the levels being unrelated with season. Arabi camels had higher plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid (6.42 microg/ml) than did Anafi and Bishari camels, the latter breed showing the lowest concentrations (3.24 microg/ml). Female camels of the Anafi breed had higher concentrations urinary ascorbic acid than did their male counterparts. It is suggested that in camels the main elimination route of vitamin C is with urine. Female and male Arabi camels that were sexually active had 52 and 23% lower plasma ascorbic acid concentrations than did their sexually inactive counterparts. It is suggested that especially Bishari camels during the breeding season might be sensitive to disease.